I Run to You (38 page)

Mitch had come around the counter. He hit the
speakerphone button.

Everyone in the room heard Karla babbling,
“It wasn’t me, Madeline. I swear it was not me. Not after that
night, she was followed. I was just messing with her, trying to
piss her off. “

“Karla where is Brook?” Madeline’s legs gave
out. Mitch was holding her from behind.

“I don’t know! I swear. I hadn’t seen Chris
and them in two weeks. They’re crazy, mean, and insane on the pills
and dope. I know it is my fault. I told the cops; I was telling the
truth. I didn’t do anything after that once. The people I was
hanging with probably did. It was my fault for bitching on her
around them. But I was seeing a man I met. I was out of town at
hotel and—”

“I don’t fucking care about you. Where is
Brook?” Madeline screamed.

Coy could imagine the kids in the house were
freaking. He was ready to reach through the phone and strangle
Karla. Terrified—for Brook.

“All I know is Lana said Chris was going to
mess her up.”

“Oh. My .God.”

Karla sounded nervous, scared, and freaked
out too; “I already called the cops and told them. I am on my way,
over to her house. I swear to God,” Karla sobbed. “I never meant
for this to happen. That bunch is just crazy. Mean ass crazy. I
didn’t know about anything else until the cops started questioning
me. When I called Lana on it, she would just laugh. She came to my
house this morning and was bragging—I guess she thought I’d be glad
about it. But you can ask Bill, I tried everything to get her to
tell me what the hell he was doing.”

There were already Coburns getting in
vehicles headed out. Madeline did not wait for Karla to finish;
even Mitch had to run to keep up with her as she headed for his
truck.

Coy saw that Donna and two others had the
kids in the den.

He could tell from the Look on Levi’s face
that he was freaking out, knew—that was his mother on the phone—and
something bad had happened to Brook.

Making a decision he may later regret, Coy
told him, “Come on.”

When Levi reached him, they headed out for
the truck. Getting in, and soon pulling out behind a dozen
others.

Gut twisted scared, Coy tried to think of
something to say to Levi, who looked ready to cry. His voice was
not calm enough, but he murmured, “She’ll be okay.”

Levi nodded, peering out the windshield; his
hands locked in his lap.

Coy simply could not find it in himself to
say more. He was too terrified.

Other Coburns had pulled over and let
Madeline and Mitch in front of them. They were the lead vehicle
heading to Diamond back. Coy knew G.W. and the rest were on
scanners and cells, trying to find out what was going on.

When they reached Brook’s street, there were
already two police cars blocking their way. Several more were back
further. There was an ambulance to the left of them, ready to pull
out.

A car, that was probably Karla’s, sat with
the doors opened and had been pulled over close to the house.

Madeline locked up the brakes on Mitch’s
truck, and jumped out. The fifth car back in line, Coy could hear
her informing the officer that Brook was her daughter, and by God,
he’d let her by, or shoot her, because she was going through.

Mitch and Madeline were let through. Officers
were trying to turn the Coburns back. They did go, but only to the
curb, some blocks up. Parking, Coy climbed out of his truck and
walked with Jude, G.W., and Alvin. They let Max and Jason go ahead.
Ruby and Renee, several of the women were there also.

G.W. spit a stream of snuff on the ground,
looking ready to turn over cars and break heads if they tried to
run them off.

One officer met them, saying, “I know you’re
family. But we’ve a crime scene to preserve—”

Renee and Ruby gasped and started crying.

Coy felt his stomach bottom out—felt a blow
like a poleax to the chest. “Crime scene?” He sensed his dad
grabbing his arm, but was focused on that cop’s dark blue eyes.

“Yes.”

“What the fuck are you saying, asshole!” Max
whirled and reached for the officer, his face twisted with fear and
rage. “Is my sister dead?”

The young cop flushed, taking a back step,
hand near his revolver. He was obviously afraid of Max. “No. I am
sorry, sir. The crime is a serious assault and home
invasion/robbery, so far…”

“Assault?” Max was shaking as bad as Coy
was.

“Look.” The officer shook his head. “You’re
her brother. I will let the others know and they will allow you
past the barrier. But the victim is in the ambulance, and they’ll
be transporting her to Brownsville emergency.”

“I’m her brother too.” Jason was a foot
behind Max.

The officer looked doubtful.

“Look at them, goddammit!” Coy growled.
“They’re obviously brothers.”

The officer nodded finally and waved them
on.

He finished his call and scanned the Coburns,
lingering on G.W. and Coy, who were standing up front with Alvin
and Jude.

“I’d appreciate it if you would all
cooperate. It is imperative we secure the area. We have also a
fugitive on the loose. Could you please clear the road for the
ambulance?”

Coy felt Levi clutching his other hand. He
heard G.W. telling everyone, they should probably go on to the
hospital.

Eyes clinging to the Ambulance he could
hardly see, aware every neighbor Brook had was out on the lawn, and
being questioned, Coy looked desperately at the officer. “Is she
conscious?”

The young officer stared at him, sighed, and
then shook his head, no.

Swallowing thickly, Coy heard the sharp
siren.

He turned and headed for the truck. Buckled
in, he glanced at Levi. “I’m going to run you home.”

“What about, pup, Dad?” Levi looked scared.
“You think they hurt him too?”

“I don’t know.” Coy felt sick. He wanted to
already be at the hospital. He wanted to call Madeline’s cell.
Knowing he could not. She was torn up.

He pulled out and headed home. Please,
God….

“I don’t mind sitting at the hospital.”
Levi’s voice was small.

“I’ll check on the pup, I promise. I’ll let
you know something soon.” Coy could barely hear. His thoughts were
all over the place.

He pulled into Mitch’s. Donna was sitting on
the steps. She had the kids out playing in the yard, though it
looked like most of them were sitting around talking. She came down
to the truck.

“Anyone call you?”

She nodded. “G.W.” She made herself smile for
Levi. “Hey, Buddy.”

He faked a smile back. Getting out, he
stopped by Coy’s truck window.

Coy reached out and ruffled his hair.

Levi’s lip wobbled. He turned and took off
toward the back of the house.

Donna said, “He’ll be okay. I’ll keep him
close. Talk to him.”

“Thanks.” Coy said. “I’ll be at the
hospital.”

“Coy?”

He was in the process of pulling out and
stopped.

Donna held his gaze; “She’ll be okay.”

He shook his head and pulled out, driving
just the speed limit. He felt sweat breaking over him and cranked
the AC even though the window was down. He lit a cigarette. As he
passed the exit to Brooks, the police cruiser coming onto the main
highway delayed him.

Karla was in the back seat.

Coy drove and smoked, prayed, and cussed. It
was a long 45-minute drive, and longer still to find a damn parking
space. He found the family cars, a clear three parking lots away
from the emergency exit.

Some of the family was still at their
vehicles.

Jude had been waiting on him.

His Dad looked as grim as he felt.

Coy got out.

“We don’t know anything. Madeline and Mitch
are back in one of the treatment centers. There was a wreck not far
from here, some tour bus and the emergency room is a mad house.
They have people on gurneys lined up in the hall.”

Coy leaned back against his truck grill,
lighting another cigarette.

“Mitch will call us. Let us know.” Jude
assured him.

Releasing smoke Coy muttered, “What do we
know?’

Renee came running over, phone still to her
ear. “Sunny’s down at the police department. He said they caught
the guy. The bank confiscated Brook’s ATM he was trying to
use.”

“At least he’s a dumb fuck.”

Coy could not appreciate Jude’s humor now.
“He hurt Brook.”

Jude met his gaze. “I know. Coy. But be glad
he was caught now.”

Coy sighed, tense, and looked at Renee, who
stepped back and was listening to Sunny.

When Jude’s cell rang, everyone came closer
to listen.

“Yeah. Okay.” Jude kept his eyes locked with
Coy’s. “One of us will get it and bring it to you. Yeah. Do you
want someone to call her father? Sure. No. Okay. Whatever Madeline
thinks.”

Coy’s guts were twisting harder by the time
Jude clicked off.

His dad said, “Ruby and me will go pick some
stuff for Madeline. Coy, you go by Brooks, and see if the cops are
finished. If they are, could you get her some clothing?”

“Yeah. How is she?”

A nerve ticked in Jude’s cheek. “He beat her
up pretty bad. Caught her in the woods—walking the pup, apparently
realized he couldn’t break in the house without knowing the
security code, so he got her conscious, and back to house, in order
to rob it.”

“How bad?” Coy felt rage and fear
mingling.

Jude shook his head. “I don’t know. Go, you
might want to pack her some personal things.” Jude waved as if Coy
should know what things he was talking about.

Coy hopped in the truck. He slowed down by
Renee as he was leaving. “Call me if you find out anything
else.”

“I will.” She reached and touched his arm.
Her face was blotchy from crying.

He nodded and pulled out. He beat her up
pretty bad…. Caught her in the woods…unconscious…Coy gripped the
wheel, wanting to kill the mutherfucker. Brook was a slim woman.
She….

He felt nausea roll over him and pulled over,
opening the door and gulping in deep breaths, until it subsided
from his throat. Leaning back finally, eyes closed, he prayed
again.

He needed to see—that she was okay.

~*~

Brook was aware of what was going on around
her, in that groggy way. She hated the heaviness, but when it
eased, the pain was almost beyond bearable. She would lift her
lashes, see her mother, feel Madeline wipe her face and eyes, hear
her distantly talking to the nurses.

She remembered someone taking pictures of her
body. There were questions. She thought she answered them, but
sometimes, she could not hear her own voice. She knew she threw up,
God did she ever. The throb throb in her head would make it even
worse.

Hours had passed, between waking and sleep,
doctors talking, about x-rays and concussions. Sleep was not the
natural kind.

Mitch would kiss her forehead, stroke her
hair. Sometime during the time warp, she felt the oxygen mask being
removed. She could not focus on the faces. Nurses changed shifts;
people were talking to her. Needles always sticking in her arm.

Finally, at some point, she opened her eyes
and saw clearer. TV up on the wall, on the weather channel. She
turned her head, her fingers twitching against Madeline’s.

“You look tired,” she croaked.

Madeline’s face was pale, makeupless; her
hair flat and clothing wrinkled.

Madeline blinked back tears, getting up from
the chair she had pulled near the bed. “You’re really awake this
time!”

“Yeah. Thirsty.”

Her mother moved, and in the process of
pouring ice water, said to Mitch who was apparently across the
room. “She’s really awake now.”

He was in Brook’s line of vision, grinning,
and stubble faced. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey.” She smiled back and it hurt.

He winced. “Careful.”

She drank half the cup of ice water Madeline
held.

Lying back, Brook scanned their faces. “How
bad?”

“Not as bad as it feels.” Mitch told her. “A
concussion. Lots of deep contusions, scratches, and raw places.
Your ribs are cracked on the left side.”

“They’ve got him.” Madeline told her.

“Karla?”

“It wasn’t her doing—this time. But let’s not
talk about it now.”

Brook’s eyes clouded a moment and she
murmured, “The pup. Warning me. Barking at him. He kicked it. I
could not get it to run away. It—”

“Coy found it. The vet said it would be okay.
It was curled up on the deck.”

Madeline smoothed her hair. “The family has
come, on and off. They stayed two nights. Do you feel like seeing
them? They’re all so worried.”

“Sure.” Brook was already getting sleepy
though.

“I’ll go tell them you’re awake. I don’t
think they let more than four in here at a time, so maybe it won’t
be too overwhelming.”

When he was gone, the nurse came in.

She was full figured, very attractive, and
she asked Brook, “Feel like standing up yet?”

“I’ll try.”

“Let’s take that catheter out.” She looked at
Madeline, and suggested, “Watch that door for a bit, we’ll get her
cleaned up.”

Madeline went to the door. The next few
moments Brook was relived of the catheter, and sat up. A rushed
sponge bath with the promise of a shower later— if she could make
it to the restroom.

She made it. Nevertheless, getting a look at
her face was a shock. Black eyes, mouse under one too, distorted
right cheek, split lip, hair sticking up.

She felt the back of her head, which was
sore. There were bruises under her arms, finger marks and yellowish
circles, blue lines.

“You have a welt back there.” The nurse
helped her out of the gown and into another. “They didn’t shave you
bald though.” The woman winked. “It will go down in a few
days.”